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The Sprout
Doors are opening again at last: Oxford Open Doors Sept 11th and 12th
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 160 September 2021
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The Sprout
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements,
Michael Cockman, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer
Editor
Ag MacKeith
South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk
Advertising Manager
Michael Cockman
50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Tel: 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk
Deliveries
Bhee Bellew and Robin Cox
15 Seacourt Road, OX2 9LD Tel: 790648 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk
Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is
welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.
Advertisements: If you have print-ready advertisements in the correct format the
last day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all
other circumstances more advance notice will be needed. For details about exact
sizes, quality requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact
the Advertising Manager.
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Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The
Sprout on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription – only £12 per annum,
delivered to your door. Contact: Carol Kramer 01865 243002.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this
newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for
any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not
a vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in
a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual
contributors.
All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid volunteers.
The Sprout is printed by Dataprint Ltd, and published by North
Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by
guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.
It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk
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The Sprout
Issue 160, September 2021
Contents
3 Letters to the Editor
5 Botley in Bloom presentation
7 Botley’s Green Future
9 Letter from Medical Practice
13 Community Larder
15 Girl Guiding
17 Help Hannah Get to Oxford
20 Seacourt Hall events
21 Thanks for All the Fish
23 CAB needs volunteers
25 The Botley Bowl
29 Planning Applications
31 Youlbury History Project
37 Vale Takes a Stand
39 Randoms
43 Local organizations
From the Editor
It’s the new academic year, and school will be starting again very
shortly, if it hasn’t already. Various new projects are getting under
way – Botley Bowl Mark 2 will be consulting on possible designs in
September (p25), and 25th is the day we get together to thrash out
what we must do if we are to play our part in resolving the climate
crisis (p7). Hannah Lloyd needs help with funding her Masters
degree (p17), Tom Davis is looking for local knowledge on the
history of Youlbury and the POW camp on Harcourt Hill (p31),
Citizens’ Advice needs more volunteers (23), and the Community
Larder would welcome them too (p13), as would the Guides (p15).
The Botley Medical Practice is working hard at getting its house in
order (p9), there are more planning applications than we have seen
for a while (p29) and Randoms (p39) notes the Seniors Lunch Club
is back in action, as is the Botley W.I. Oxford Open Doors is back.
And people wanting to improve their sporting abilities may like to
check out the exciting offer at the Lawn Tennis Club Open Day on
4th September. What all this activity tells us is that things are
finally getting back to normal. But don’t let’s get carried away –
we’ve been here before!
Ag MacKeith
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Letters to the Editor
Youlbury
I am a second year archaeology and history student at Southampton
University, originally from North Hinksey. I am currently in the pro-
cess of formulating my dissertation, an archaeological survey of
Youlbury Scout Camp, Boars Hill, and its use as a military training
centre and POW camp during the Second World War. Any historical
information, photographs or documents relating to the camp would
be an excellent addition to my project. I am also very interested in
the POW camp on Harcourt Hill, with which Youlbury may have
been associated. In general, anything related to the Second World
War up to the beginning of the 20th Century in the North Hinksey,
Botley and Cumnor area would be great. Please contact me at
tgd1g19@soton.ac.uk or by phone 07712 710623.
Tom Davis
Greening Botley?
I have been walking every day along Elms Rise streets and in
particular Cedar Road. I enjoy looking at front gardens and I want to
thank those of you who still have one. Whether it is perfectly tended
to or wild is irrelevant, the greens and the colours of flowers give
one some peace, pleasure and space. In other words, it helps our
mental health.
However, the front gardens are disappearing one by one, to be
replaced by car parks. Why pave the whole front garden? Is
watching your cars next to your windows better than having a view
on green foliage? And it is making it worse for the houses at the
bottom of the hill as the water does not seep through the soil
anymore. And it is ugly.
I would like to ask those who have paved or concreted their gardens
whether they enjoy passing the green and flowery gardens of their
neighbours.
The Parish Council is talking about Greening Botley. Stopping this
trend and finding a way to discourage people from transforming front
gardens into endless car parks would be a good start. Front gardens
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are a cultural treasure and should be protected. They bring food to
the soul and make our life breathable.
I implore those who are thinking of imitating these ugly concreted
surfaces to rethink and change their mind or compromise – at least
for half and half. And a deeply felt thank you to those with dreams in
their front gardens.
Annemarie Heslop
This feels like a good place to publish a photo of the happy
occasion when we handed out certificates and RHS Vouchers to the
winners of Botley in Bloom 2021. The ceremony took place in Jan
Bartlam’s sunny back garden on a blazing day in July. The photo
shows those of the winners who were able to come: from left, Leo
McAllister and his little daughter, Elizabeth Stevens and Peter
England, Caroline Cockman, and the aptly named Phil Bloomer.
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Botley’s Green Future
The recent United Nations report, signed off by 195 governments,
made it very clear that we need urgent action everywhere to help
tackle the climate crisis. This month people all over Oxfordshire –
and the UK – will be playing their part in the ‘Great Big Green Week’
(Sept 18th–26th). Here in Botley we’ll be looking to the future too.
There are over 50 community groups active on climate change and
green issues across Oxfordshire, but we don’t have one in Botley.
The parish council has an environmental action plan, but for that to
work we need more people on board. Cumnor’s already doing good
work with their new ‘Fit for the Future’ group, and Eynsham’s ‘Nature
Recovery Network’ is a shining example of what can be done.
On Saturday Sept 25th from 1.30–4.30 there will be talks and
discussions on ‘Botley’s Green Future’ in the Seacourt Hall. This is
supported by the Sprout and by North Hinksey Parish Council, and
is part of our contribution to the Oxfordshire Great Big Green Week
– https://greenweekoxon.co.uk/. If you agree it’s time to act, come
along and let’s form a group that will bring about some change. It
will be a busy afternoon – we will hear how ‘Fit for the Future’, got
started – their work can be seen here: https://www.cumnorf4f.org/.
We’ll also launch the Botley and North Hinksey ‘Green Guide’,
setting out ways we can make a difference in homes, workplaces
and communities.
Most importantly we’ll discuss what we can do locally, including:
• creating space for wildlife;
• tackling air pollution problems;
• reducing our carbon emissions;
• protecting and caring for our green spaces;
• helping people grow food locally (like edible Abingdon);
• using rainwater; and
• tackling flooding issues.
If you want to be part of the change, then come along at 1.30pm on
September 25th to Seacourt Hall, just next to the Library. We are all
in this together and together we can have an impact. If you register
in advance via Eventbrite, we will keep you in the discussions as we
finalise plans. Sign up at: https://greenerbotley.eventbrite.co.uk
Chris Church
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A letter from BOTLEY MEDICAL PRACTICE
Dear Patients,
We are working hard to put things right at the Practice. At the PPG’s
suggestion, and with their input, we will provide monthly updates on
our progress. Please find our progress update for July/early August
below:
NOW
Call-back system on the phones: We are sorry for the frustration
in getting through on the phones. Earlier this week the team re-
viewed the system and received training to help us make changes
and monitor phone activity. We have set up a call-back system,
which we hope will improve things. The call-back system works as
follows:
• The system activates when more than four people are in the
phone queue.
• The call-back may take a little while depending on how many
are queuing. Once the call-back starts, the health centre will
attempt to call the patient up to three times on the device
from which they called, at 15-second intervals.
• If no one answers, the process is cancelled. For patients call-
ing from a mobile phone, a text will be sent to this effect.
• Do NOT try to phone again until the call-back process has
taken place. Otherwise the whole process is cancelled and
you will need to start again from the beginning.
Booking appointments online: You can download the NHS app to
book appointments directly (providing some are available) from your
smartphone, tablet or home computer. If you complete the full regis-
tration (verifying your identity with the practice by bringing in some
documentation), you can also access a wider range of services in-
cluding seeing blood test results and ordering repeat prescriptions.
Recruitment: We will welcome a Health Care Assistant, a Social
Prescriber and Reception Manager this month, and Mind and Well-
being Workers through the PCN. We expect a new GP, two Recep-
tionists, a Medical Secretary and a Clinical Coder to join in the au-
tumn. Although significant vacancies remain in our clinical, reception
and admin teams, this is good progress.
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Complaints: Our complaints policy and process is available here
(https://www.botleymedicalcentre.co.uk/info.aspx?p=10). We strive
to acknowledge each new complaint within two working days and
are working through the backlog of complaints that need wider in-
vestigation. We use complaints to improve our systems and pro-
cesses where possible. We welcome an occasional accolade as
well!
CQC update: We are making good progress on the highest priority
issues CQC identified and report to them monthly. We meet with the
CCG fortnightly and the PPG regularly.
NEXT
Increasing patient appointments: We have completed the formali-
ties with Livi, a digital GP appointments app fully integrated with our
local systems and processes. If all goes well, you will receive infor-
mation about how to access their system during August. The system
will go live by the end of the month. See the Practice Website for
more information. Like the NHS App, the Livi App needs to be down-
loaded. Patients can, via their mobile, see a doctor (not a doctor
from the BMC Practice), at home, at work or on the go. The doctor
can offer medical advice along with prescriptions delivered to a
pharmacy near you. Those without a computer or smart phone can
still ring the surgery. If you can, please use these alternative sys-
tems and free up telephone bookings for those who can’t.
Improving access to services: we will develop a ‘who can I see’
guide, so patients can book appointments with different members of
our clinical team as needed. This should relieve pressure on GPs’
appointments and improve your access to services. Due in Septem-
ber.
More Recruitment: recruiting is slow over the holiday season. We
hope to have more good news on this front by October.
LATER
After our initial recovery phase is complete we will develop a staff
retention and wellbeing plan, and with the PPG’s input, work on a
longer-term strategy and start improving our website.!
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Community Larder
‘Best before’ doesn't have to mean ‘Landfill’
That's the message I like to get across to my community when peo-
ple mistake us for a foodbank. Do we offer free surplus food to any-
one who contacts us? Yes we do, but that's not our main objective.
Our members/users pay a weekly direct debit of £3.50 to a Didcot-
based charity (SOFEA), who are part of a wider network called
Fareshare. Every Thursday afternoon, a group of volunteers in St.
Peter and Paul’s church hall receive a delivery of surplus food. We
then put out all the many items ready for our members to stop by
after 3pm. Our aim is to reduce food waste. From my experience
more than 80% of items are still in date, though some are past their
‘best before’ (not expired).
We don't have a wide enough selection to replace your supermarket
shopping. However, we do bring the feel-good effect: doing the right
thing for our environment, making food accessible, and increasing
community involvement.
While we do also help towards
reducing food poverty, it's just
a by-product of our waste-
reduction ambitions.
So, whether you are wealthy
or not, please stop by on a
Thursday and say ‘Hi’. I'll show
you around, you can join us as
a member or you can volun-
teer to set the tables or drive
parcels to those who can't get
out to us. Either way, we all
belong to our Botley communi-
ty. If you want to get in touch,
you can phone me on 07887
902412
Saman Jamshidifard,
Larder Co-ordinator
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Girlguiding in West Oxford District
Girlguiding locally has been busy throughout lockdown. Most units
have met regularly via Zoom throughout, and several units even
enjoyed “virtual sleepovers”. After over a year of cyber-Guiding,
most of our local units have been very happy to start meeting again
in person this last half term, whilst continuing to keep Covid-safe.
Along with all the usual badge and award work, we have had
numerous campfires and outdoor cooking sessions, fun days at Hill
End, outdoor games. We have picked up litter around various areas
of Botley, had visits from outside agencies, done some Geocaching
and even sailing.
Sadly, over lockdown we have lost many leaders and girls. This
means that we have spaces for both girls and volunteers in many of
our units. If you think you might like to make a difference in our
wonderful young ladies’ lives, and if you love to have fun, or if your
daughter would like to get involved, we would love to hear from you.
For more information see the Girlguiding website, or e-mail
westoxforddistrictgirlguiding@gmail.com
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Help Hannah Get to Oxford
What were you doing on the morning of 7th August? It was a Satur-
day. That morning I ran a 5km obstacle course as part of my cam-
paign to fundraise the £44,000 tuition fees I need to complete my
Master’s Degree at Oxford University! I’ve gathered over £34,000 so
far – can you help me cross the finish line?
î Hannah on the left, with her friend Uzochi Nwaubani
My journey began last year
when I was admitted to Oxford
University to study Internation-
al Development, a course fo-
cussed on addressing poverty
and inequality across the
world. It was an exciting mo-
ment – though one swiftly cut
short when I realized that, not
only was I ineligible for Oxford
scholarships, but there weren’t
any part-time study options
and the department had a rule
that students are not permitted
to do paid work for more than
4hrs per week. Born to a low-
income family and only the first
generation to attend university,
I’ve become accustomed to
putting in the work to fund op-
portunities, but Oxford was
making this one exceedingly
difficult! Finding myself inches away from having to give up on the
course that would propel me into my future, I decided to do the very
last thing I knew how – fundraise.
I moved to Botley three years ago to work at the University’s Student
Union. At the University I worked with students to develop their
leadership skills and bring their ideas to life, while also volunteering
at the Museum of Oxford and consulting with local organisations to
address racial inequalities. From supporting them to fundraise over
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£40,000 annually for local charities such as The Porch, Aspire and
Keen, to launching the institution’s only leadership conference for
minority ethnic students, and even supervising initiatives to increase
the access of low-income students, I poured my all into the educa-
tion of Oxford students. Yet I’ve found myself facing huge barriers to
pursuing my own education at the same institution.
One year later, after countless late nights sending emails, doing in-
terviews on television and radio, and knocking on University doors,
I’ve gathered over £34,000. All during a pandemic and while battling
for my mental health! It’s been tiring and difficult but I don’t regret my
decision at all.
I’ve now completed the first of two years of study and have begun
my thesis exploring how Diasporas can support the development of
their countries of origin. I’m hoping to move into consulting, support-
ing charities and governments to evaluate and improve their pro-
grammes.
The generous hearts of my donors have me blown over. They have
donated repeatedly and been consistent in sharing the page with
their friends over Facebook, text message and coffee. But I’m not
quite done – I have until 30th September to pay my tuition fees. I’d
appreciate your support by either donating on my GoFundMe Page
– just search Google for “Help Hannah Get to Oxford” – or by shar-
ing the GoFundMe page with a friend. Send me a message through
the page too, I’d love to hear from you!
Hannah Lloyd
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SEACOURT HALL OPEN DAY SATURDAY 4TH
SEPTEMBER 11AM TO 3PM
PLEASE COME ALONG AND FIND OUT WHAT ACTIVITIES AND
CLASSES ARE GOING ON THIS AUTUMN AND WINTER.
BOTLEY W.I. WILL BE SERVING TEA AND COFFEE – AND OF
COURSE, THERE WILL BE CAKE!
THIS IS A NICE OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH UP WITHIN THE
COMMUNITY AND REMIND YOURSELVES WHAT OUR NEW
HALL HAS TO OFFER. YOU CAN ALSO SEE ALL THE CURRENT
ACTIVITIES ON OUR WEBSITE: http://www.seacourthall.org.uk/
Seacourt Hall AGM
and nominations for Public Representatives
Seacourt Hall is a registered charity managed by a committee of
trustees (Seacourt Hall Management Committee). The trustees
represent North Hinksey Parish Council (NHPC), hall users and
the public.
At the AGM on Monday 27th September (7:30pm at
Seacourt Hall – or via Zoom, to be decided nearer the time),
two members of the public will be elected as Charity
Trustees (public representatives) by residents over 18,
present at the AGM.
All North Hinksey parish residents are invited
Any North Hinksey parish resident aged over 18 may put their
own name forward to be a Charity Trustee and a seconder is not
needed.
Nominations should be sent to the Treasurer before 5pm on
Monday 17th September. This can be by post in the Seacourt
Hall letterbox at the Library end of the building or by email to
treasurer@seacourthall.org.uk
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Thanks for All the Fish
This was the name of Uwe Akerman’s poignant element in the
‘Communities’ photo exhibition. He contributed photos he took in the
months leading up to the demolition of the Botley Shopping Centre.
As well as the process of demolition, he records the graffiti
conversation between local people and developers. As the familiar
shop fronts were boarded up one by one, they provided a space to
express local feelings. At first Mace responded by painting over
them – and of course this provided a blank canvas for further
comment. The developers finally brought the conversation to an end
by hiring an artist to create some colourful, but essentially
meaningless, images to fill the spaces. I stood in front of them for a
while, but there really was no message there to understand. A
couple of pictures you may well recognize are on the facing page.
Of course not everyone disliked the projected plans, and now they
have been realized it’s clear that a pleasant space has been
provided, especially on a sunny Saturday morning, when the
Farmers Market brings the precinct to life. But at the same time –
look at those massive blocks that hold the hotel, and the hundreds
of student rooms! Are they full, or even half full? And here again are
all the shops that we had already, sadly without the restaurants and
the very popular meeting places that were the charity shops and
cafes. And where is the evidence of sustainable development that
the planet so desperately needs? Nowhere to be seen.
The exhibition, in St John’s College, closed on 17th August. Perhaps
Botley Arts could be persuaded to put it on as part of their series at
Ss P&P church, so that us locals can see it. AgM
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OXFORDSHIRE SOUTH AND VALE
CITIZENS ADVICE – NEW TRUS-
TEES NEEDED
Role: Trustees
Organisation: Oxfordshire South and Vale Citizens Advice (OSAV
CA)
Location: Head Office, Abbey House, Abingdon, OX14 3JD
We are a local charity providing free, confidential and independent
advice to help people in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White
Horse resolve their problems.
We are looking for new Trustees to join our Board. As well as broad
experience, we would particularly welcome those with skills in gov-
ernance, IT strategy or fundraising. We encourage applications from
people of any age, background or identity and are committed to
equality and diversity.
The main issues people bring us concern benefits, debt, employ-
ment, housing, and relationship- and consumer- problems. Following
advice, four in five people are able to resolve their problem, and we
help most to find a way forward. We also use evidence to influence
policies and practices that affect people’s lives. Our 145 volunteer
advisers and 15 FTE staff advise about 10,000 people each year
from four Advice Centres. Since March 2020, our staff and volun-
teers have been operating our Adviceline service from home.
We are members of National Citizens Advice, which means we have
access to its services, resources and support, and it sets and audits
our advice standards. However, as an independent charity, we are
responsible for running our own affairs, and much of our funding
comes from District, Town and Parish Councils and local charities.
Trustees are asked to attend six Board meetings a year, held in the
evening at various locations (although remotely for the moment).
Each Trustee is encouraged to take an interest in a particular aspect
of the charity’s work.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please contact Jon
Bright, the Director, via jon.bright@osavcab.org.uk
Please apply via www.citizensadvice.org.uk/oxfordshire-south-vale
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The Botley Bowl gets rolling
The new
community asset,
provisionally called
The Botley Bowl, is
gaining momentum.
Following our note
in last month’s
Sprout, the
committee looking
to make the dream
more concrete has
been busy. We have been engaging with the experts and creating
solid proposals to present to Botley. While still a long way from
breaking ground, this is real progress on the road to creating an
exciting, safe and attractive skatepark for our children and young
people.
What have we done so far?
1. We have invited ideas from experienced skatepark providers,
Gravity, Canvas Spaces and Maverick, and will be sharing their
suggestions with the public on September 5th, at a pop-up café by
the Pavilion (3-5pm). (Meanwhile, if you don’t want to wait, see our
Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/botleyskatepark/!) We
will use everyone’s comments to help us choose the best option.
Once we have the design that represents the best solution for all
parties, we can create the brief and move into the planning and
tendering stages.
2. The parish council will carry out a topographical survey of the
playing field to understand the
constraints of the site. This will
tie in with the prep work for the
Pavilion development. A single
survey and report that covers
both the new building and the
potential skate park site makes
economic sense, and will go to
the parish council for approval
on 9th September.
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Feedback from the previous article has been positive. Many people
reading this will have watched as Sky Brown, at the tender age of
13, claimed a Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics (see photo).
Seeing what is possible when we give our kids the chance to
succeed has certainly energised the working group. Those who
have experience with creating these opportunities through the
provision of football teams or youth clubs also know the benefits of
structured and safe play.
The next step, once the groundwork research is complete, is to
further engage with the public. We are discussing how best to do
that – it’s looking like an open evening at the pavilion, with an open
invite to Botley residents, riders, skaters, and other interested
parties to view the designs. A questionnaire to collate opinion is
another suggestion.
As planning can take 6 to 8 weeks, we are keen to maintain
momentum as we take the project forward. The Sprout remains our
preferred platform for updates, and plenty more will follow.
Let’s roll!
Steve Moore
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LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P21/V1666/HH
6 Yarnells Rd. Rear extension.
P21/V1703/HH
36 Westminster Way. Demolish garage
& single storey rear part of property,
build 2-storey side & single-storey rear
extensions.
P21/V1705/HH
3 Sweetmans Rd. 2-storey side & rear
extensions with single storey extension
& porch to front.
P21/V1796/LB
Ferry Cottage, 7 N Hinksey Lane.
Refurbish & extend Grade II Listed
cottage. Remove C20th extension.
P21/V1813/HH
St Hilarion, Harcourt Hill. 1- storey oak
framed detached garage.
P21/V1871/HH
29 N Hinksey Lane. Add external
insulation. Loft conversion & change
rear 1st floor windows.
P21/V1902/LDP
4 Stanley Close. Change of use of
dwelling (C3) to a small-HMO (C4).
P21/V1909/LDP
43 West Way. Loft conversion with
dormer roof extension.
P21/V1937/HH
Crest House, Vernon Ave. Windows at
sides & glass balustrade on roof terrace.
P21/V1981/HH
44 Crabtree Rd. Single storey rear & 2-
storey side extension.
P21/V1983/PDH
29 Cope Close. Rear extension.
P21/V1957/LDP
21 Montagu Rd. New windows & doors.
Loft extension + rear dormer.
P21/V1993/HH
6 Hazel Rd. Single storey rear
extension & detached annex.
P21/V2010/LDP
82 Westminster Way. Loft conversion
with dormer to rear.
P21/V2020/FUL
31 West Way. Partially demolish
building, add 2 residential blocks.
P21/V2165/DIS
Discharge of
condition 9(CEMP)
in P20/V0921/FUL.
Botley Centre West Way Square. New
commercial floorspace at ground floor,
plus 150 residential dwellings above, &
car parking & landscaping.
P21/V2262/HH
7 Finmore Rd. 2- storey side, & ground
floor rear extensions + roof terrace, &
dormer window to rear.
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Youlbury History Project
Passing by the spiked peak of Seacourt Tower, or the rows of hous-
es that stretch from Elms Parade to Westminster College, it is hard
to imagine that a century and a half ago these bustling centres were
home only to flocks of grazing livestock, held among the dozen or so
farms that dotted the rural landscape. From the floodplains at Osney
to the peaks of Boars Hill, a quiet and largely treeless expanse of
emerald green pastureland covered an area now loud with the deaf-
ening chorus of the A34 that underscores the fast pace of modern
life. Then, the only din would have come from the bells of Oxford’s
churches, which could be heard clearly in North Hinksey during the
lockdown that cut traffic on the roads that now bisect the area.
Visitors from Oxford to this scenic part of what was, until recently,
the county of Berkshire would have entered along the Botley Road
or over the old Ferry at North Hinksey by the Fishes, in continual
existence since the Middle Ages. Looking back towards Oxford in
the late 19th Century, the viewer would be met with the dreaming
spires and towers of the colleges that still rise majestically above the
city.
However, the industrial revolution and population explosion that
shook Britain’s Victorian cities could also be seen within this pano-
rama, with the black smoke of ironclad steam trains blanketing the
densely populated suburbs that were spilling out into the fields
around. The great figures of Oxford life, no longer comfortable in the
industrialising university town, sought the solitary heights of Boars
Hill to build new residential villas enclosed by defensive tree planta-
tions that still dominate the area. In 1894, Sir Arthur Evans, keeper
of the Ashmolean Museum and world famous for his discovery and
excavation of the Cretan palace of Knossos, bought a secluded
estate on the northern edge of Boars Hill and named it Youlbury.
This is the period in which my research begins, as my archaeology
and history university dissertation will focus on the changes this
small area went through as part of the wider social and political pro-
cesses that swept through Britain in the 19th and 20th Centuries.
There was a strong belief, particularly among the ruling classes, that
European society had become sick in body and mind, and that cen-
tral to this decline in Britain was the growth of the working class in its
overcrowded industrialised cities. Weakness and immorality showed
34
35
in the behaviour of the youth of Britain’s working class slums, who
led aimless and undisciplined lives among the public houses and
music theatres that sapped their ‘manly virtues’. It was this moraland
physical decline that Robert Baden-Powell sought to address by in-
stilling the vigorous frontier spirit of Britain’s far-flung colonies into
British youth through the Scouts.
In 1913, Sir Arthur Evans visited Wootton Village Scout Troop and
was so impressed by their smartness and discipline, that he offered
them his summerhouse on the Youlbury Estate as a meeting place.
The looming threat of war in Europe was a further reason to develop
Britain’s youth into individuals capable of fighting for their country
and empire. Soon enough, by 1914 Britain had entered the First
World War. Speaking in 1915 at a Youlbury Scout rally, Evans de-
scribed the Scouting movement as "part of the work of national
preparation, of methodical training and discipline, by which in future
years our race and empire must stand or fall.” Militaristic organisa-
tion and patriotism remained central to the Scouts throughout the
20th Century, although its character and ethic continued to evolve.
When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Youlbury Scout
Camp would act as the headquarters for the entire Boy Scouts As-
sociation. Arthur Evans died in 1942, and Youlbury Estate was req-
uisitioned. It became an RAF Bomber Command Battle Training
School for over 10,000 soldiers. American and British troops trained
there in preparation for the D-Day landings, exercising on the obsta-
cle course and learning how to diffuse explosives in the camp’s
booby-trap house. Once the war ended in 1945, the camp was re-
portedly used to house German POW’s, who probably helped with
its demolition and worked on the local farms.
36
37
A POW camp had also been constructed on nearby Harcourt Hill. It
housed 1,000 prisoners, some of whom remained in Oxford for the
rest of their lives. Some however did not want to stay, and in Octo-
ber 1946 two German POWs, Fritz Kroeger and Heinz Krause,
escaped. After a mass police search, they were found hiding in a
false roof in the grandstand of Kempton Park Racecourse in Middle-
sex. They had travelled from Oxford in a stolen motor-truck, which
they had abandoned at Hampton. Upon capture they were found
with their laundry strung up, along with a food hoard of three chick-
ens, cabbages, onions, potatoes, ten packets of margarine, tinned
milk, tins of stewed steak and salmon, and four bunches of grapes.
In 1947 the Estate came up for sale, and the Scouts were able to
buy their headquarters, which they had held on lease since 1913. It
remains to this day the oldest permanent Scout Camp in the world.
Any memories, documents or photographs concerning the key
themes that I have outlined in this article would be greatly appreciat-
ed. Contact me by phone on 07712 710623 or email
tgd1g19@soton.ac.uk.
Tom Davis
38
39
Vale Takes a Stand
The Sprout does not usually concern itself with government policies,
but, if passed, the Planning Bill, up for debate this autumn, would
have serious implications for development on our patch. It would
make nonsense of our Neighbourhood Plan, and would reduce local
control over what gets built where. If passed, it would change local
plans, significantly decrease the time it takes for housing
developments to go through the planning system, replace the
existing systems for funding affordable housing and infrastructure
from development, and reform the framework for locally led
development corporations.
However, it has been fiercely resisted across the country, including
by the Vale of White Horse, our local planning authority. They have
written to the government to request a change of heart.
They want to see:
• a review of Permitted Development Rights which would allow
development to happen without needing planning permission;
• the rights of local residents to engage and comment on individ-
ual planning applications to be maintained;
• that lo cal people, through robust Neighbourhood and Local
Plan processes, continue to influence how communities devel-
op; and
• councils enabled to set strong local planning policies to maxim-
ise protection for the environment and reduce emissions.
The intention of the Bill is to get more houses built faster, but it is
hard to see how it would address the problem of the shortage of
affordable housing locally. Let us hope that these concerns are
heard when the Bill is debated in Parliament in the autumn.
AgM
40
41
Randoms
Botley W.I.
Our regular monthly meetings have resumed. On 7th September our
speaker will be Lynda Warren, talking about ‘Peter Rabbit and
friends.’ Visitors are always welcome. We have subgroups, for
women interested in crafting, walking, gardening, reading, and mu-
sic. Call 07598 251161 for further information or see our Facebook
page, Botley WI. After the success in July of our first such event,
Botley Women’s Institute will be holding tabletop/car boot sales on
Sunday 12th September, 10th October, and a Christmas Fair on
28th November, 11:00 to 13:30. £10 per table or car park space;
outdoors if fine, indoors if inclement. Refreshments will be available.
Contact 01865 245273for a space.
CPRE on the Oxfordshire Plan for 2050
Consultation for the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 has now launched and
runs until 8 October. It will set the development framework for the
county for the next generation. It will affect all Oxfordshire residents,
either directly (through development) or indirectly (through impacts
on services, infrastructure, our countryside and rural character).
CPRE Oxfordshire is concerned to make sure that the growth op-
tions are deliverable without undue damage to our countryside and
that there are good policy proposals for getting to net zero and re-
storing nature. That means guiding development to the right places
and building high-quality, compact housing to make the best use of
scarce land. We urge you to respond to the consultation – it is
our best chance of influencing both the outcomes of this Plan
and the OxCam Arc proposals. Have your say NOW – it’s too
late to act when the bulldozers arrive. More information on the
CPRE Oxfordshire website www.cpreoxon.org.uk
Oxford Local Plan 2040
It’s not just the County who are reviewing their strategy for the next
few decades; the City has started the process too. The first stage of
the Oxford 2040 Local Plan is to pin down the issues that need to be
addressed. The hard facts of the climate crisis and the pandemic
have undeniable consequences, which must be factored in, along
42
with traffic and housing needs, the Westgate effect on the High
Street and Cornmarket, etc. To engage at this early stage, see
https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20067/planning_policy/1460/oxford_lo
cal_plan_2040
Apple Day 2021
It’s looking hopeful that we’ll be able to hold Apple Day again this
year. We have pencilled in Sunday afternoon, October 17th, for this
cheery community event. Bring along your apples for identification
from our skilled team, share and test apple recipes, and join your
neighbours in chopping and pressing surplus apples into juice, in the
welcoming garden of South View House, Old Botley, just at the back
of McDonalds.
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis Club
OSLTC is having a charity open day on 4th September -- Former
Wimbledon/Davis Cup players will be giving free coaching and there
is the opportunity to play with and against them. Other events in-
clude a Speed of Serve competition, BBQ etc. 50% off membership
for anyone who joins up on the day. Also a 25% off autumn special.
Community Land Trust,
Dean Court The Dean Court
Project is progressing steadily.
Sadly for us, our Development
Manager, John Bloxsom, is
gradually handing over to a new
Project Manager (watch out for
future news on this). We have
been very lucky to have John
and thank him for his hugely
detailed and committed input to
OCLT, most particularly the
Dean Court Project. We
congratulate him on his success
in the Local Government
elections to Gloucestershire
County Council
43
Botley Seniors Lunch Club
We are delighted to announce the restart of the Lunch Club on
Thursday 9th September. As before it will be in the Seacourt Hall.
Please come around 12.00 noon for lunch at 12.30. Any new diners
who wish to attend please contact me on 01865 721386 to check if
we have any spare spaces.
Jackie Warner
Oxford Open Doors
This annual event is back over the weekend of 11th and 12th Sep-
tember. Run by the Oxford Preservation Trust, it’s a chance to visit
all kinds of special places in historic Oxford. Take this chance to see
the West Oxford Hydro at Osney Lock (open on Sunday afternoon).
There are also some new OPT Heritage and Green Spaces self-
guided walks and a full range of virtual events. The full programme
for the weekend will be available on the OPT website from Monday
23 August with bookings opening on Wednesday 1 September at
12 noon. You will definitely need to book – these events are always
very popular.
Walking for Parkinson’s
Join the Walk for Parkinson’s in person on 19th September – or
take part online. The (socially distanced) walk starts at 10am on
Sunday 19th September in Wytham Woods, raising money to help
fund vital support for people affected by Parkinson’s disease. If
you’d rather steward than walk, or volunteer in some other way,
please contact us too. Every pound raised will be matched by the
Frank and Evelyn Brake Connect Fund, and will help to transform
information and support services for people affected by Parkinson’s
If this seems like a step too far, you can Walk for Parkinson’s Your
Way: walk 2 or 6 miles, choosing your own course wherever you
are, during the weekend of 25th and 26th September. To take part,
visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/walk-parkinsons, email
fundraising@parkinsons.org.uk or call 0800 138 6593
Botley Bridges Family Support Volunteer Opportunity
Do you enjoy working with young children and know the importance
of support for families with young children? If you do, there is a vol-
unteer opportunity which you may be interested in.
44
Botley Bridges, the local family support service, needs volunteers to
support the co-ordinator who runs the family Play and Learn Ses-
sions on a Monday morning at Botley School. The sessions will re-
sume face-to-face from September (initially outside). We are looking
to have a group of volunteers who could then help out on a rota ba-
sis of one or two sessions a month. Volunteers will need to be DBS
checked and training will be given. If you are interested and would
like to know more, contact either Hayley by email on coordina-
tor@botleybridges.org or by phone on 07498 563636 or Sue Dowe,
chair of trustees at sue@botleybridges.org or on 07769 275084
45
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Jean
Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison
Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
mail@thefourth.org.uk Website:
http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, 1 Church Way, Botley
Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)
07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk
Baby & Toddler Group
Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Badminton Club
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry
Clark 0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
BikeSafe. B4044 community
path campaign
Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8
weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@sky.com or Brendan
Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Botley Bridges
Family Support
Contact Hayley - coordinator@botleybridges.org or
phone 07498 563 636 www.botleybridges.org
Botley Community Larder
Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, see
Facebook or email botleylarder@gmail.com
Botley Health Walks
Wednesday 9.30am. Contact Briony on Ox 246497
Botley Library
01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Botley Seniors Lunch Club
Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie Warner
Ox721386
Botley Singers
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela
Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Cumnor Choral Society
Rehearsals Friday 7.45 to 9.45 pm John May 07795 054142
or www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District
Historical Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or phone 01865
721026
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,
call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
46
Let’s Sing! – singing group
Weds 2pm, WOCC, Emily 07969 522368 or email
emformusic@outlook.com
Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare clubs
Mon–Fri 7.45am–6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10– 12.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Parish Council
Sharon Henley, clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
N Hinksey Youth Club
Weds at LM pavilion, Daz: 07791 212866 or F’book
Oxford Flood Alliance
R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259
Oxford Harmony Men's
Acappella singing group
Meets Wednesdays 7.45 pm at Seacourt Hall, Con-
tact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Enquiries: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org coaching:
Coaching@OxfordSportsLTC.org 07824 881680
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,
twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Seacourt Hall Management
Committee
Michael Cockman 07766 317691
michael.cockman@gmail.com.
Shotokan Karate Club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Walking for Health
2nd & 4th Saturdays 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car
park, Arnolds Way. Alan 07941 610913
West Oxford Bowls Club
Contact details on
www.westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
West Way Day Centre
Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Liz Manson, 244175 or
liz.manson@virginmedia.com
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
47
Baptist Hall
West Way Place
Contact: Rev Kalyan Das
Tel. 07841 867967
The Rosary Room
Yarnells Hill, Elms Rise
Contact Maria Brown,
Tel: 01865 247986.
SS Peter & Paul Church
Hall, West Way, Botley
Contact: 01865 242057 or
osneybenefice@outlook.com.
Women's Institute Hall,
North Hinksey Lane
Contact: Val Warner
Tel. 01865 245273
Seacourt Hall, West
Way Place, Botley
Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,
or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk
Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,
Elms Rise, Botley
Contact: Darren Blase 241254
louiememorialpavilion@gmail.com
Oxford Rugby Club,
North Hinksey Village
Contact:. Mary Bagnall
mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.
North Hinksey & Botley Churches
Times of Services (once resumed) and Contacts
St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane
1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday, Sung Eucharist 11.30 a.m.
3rd Sunday, Matins 11.30 am
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way
2nd Saturday each Month, 4–6pm Messy Church for children and their carers
1st Sunday of the Month, 9.30am All Age service of Holy Communion
All other Sundays, 9.30am Holy Communion with activities for children
Every Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House
Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Roman Catholic, Yarnells Hill
Saturday 6.30 pm. Mass
Sunday 9.15 am Mass
Fr Daniel Lloyd. 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Botley Baptist Church, West Way Place
Sunday Service 10.30 am.
Mid Week House Group 8.00 p.m.
Family Worship Service 5 - 6pm on Saturday
R ev Kalyan Das 07841 867967 www.botleybaptistchurch.org
Calvary Chapel
Sunday services held at Botley School 10.30– 12 noon
Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498
calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;
www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk
48
Sprout
September 2021
Sat 4th 11-4pm, Church Way, Seacourt Hall Open Day
Sat 4th N Hinksey village, by Rugby Club, Oxford Sports
Lawn Tennis Club open day
Sun 5th 3-5pm, Pavilion, Arnold’s Way, pop-up café with
chance to comment on possible designs for
Botley Skatepark
Thur 9th 12 for 12.30, Seacourt Hall, Botley Seniors Lunch Club
Thur 9th 7.30pm, Seacourt Hall, North Hinksey Parish Council
meeting
Sat 11th, Sun 12th Oxford Open Doors, booking opens on 1st Sept
Sun 12th 11-1.30 pm , W.I. Hall, North Hinksey Lane,
Car Boot Sale
18th-26th GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK
Sun 19th 10am, Wytham Woods, Walk for Parkinson’s
Sat 25th 1.30 pm, Seacourt Hall, open meeting to consolidate
local efforts to combat climate crisis
Mon 27th Seacourt Hall AGM
More local events and information on www.botleyhinksey.org.uk